Printing apparatus, information processing device, and printing method

ABSTRACT

A CPU of a printing apparatus selects one of a plurality of setting permission information items based on sheet property information in a case in which printing processing is performed employing a specific sheet type. Subsequently, the CPU of the printing apparatus performs a setting regarding each of a plurality of printing setting items so as to obtain a setting permitted in the selected setting permission information item in a case in which printing processing is performed employing a specific sheet type. Thus, a printing apparatus capable of executing the printing settings of a plurality of printing setting items appropriately is provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/755,163, filed on May 30, 2007, which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2006-154837, filed Jun. 2, 2006, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, an informationprocessing device, and a printing method.

2. Description of the Related Art

A technique has been known wherein an operator is allowed to set aplurality of printing setting items at the time of printing processingbeing performed by a printing apparatus. Examples of the printingsetting items mentioned here include an item to which a sheet supplysource is set, which indicates from which sheet supply cassette sheetsshould be supplied in the event that a printing apparatus includes aplurality of sheet supply cassettes. Also, for example, in the eventthat duplex printing can be performed by a printing apparatus, there isan item regarding which whether to perform duplex printing or simplexprinting is set.

With such a printing apparatus capable of setting a plurality ofprinting setting items, a combination of a plurality of printing settingitems sometimes results in an inexecutable setting at the printingapparatus. For example, in the event that duplex printing of heavy paperis mechanically impossible at the printing apparatus, an arrangementwhich allows setting of heavy paper as a paper type and then setting toperform duplex printing, the printing apparatus will malfunction. Inorder to avoid such a malfunction, a technique has been known whereininformation indicating settable combinations regarding a plurality ofprinting setting items (hereafter, referred to as setting permissioninformation) is stored beforehand, thereby preventing printing settingsthat disable the printing apparatus from performing printing processing(e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-225754).

However, with a technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2000-225754, a problem occurs in a case in which an operator of aprinting apparatus can newly register a sheet as a sheet which can beemployed for executing printing processing.

For example, in a case in which several hundreds through severalthousands of types can be newly registered as the types of printingsheets to be employed at the printing apparatus, it is difficult toprepare the setting permission information regarding each type. Thedifficulty mentioned here is in that it takes time and effort to preparethe setting permission information as to all the types of printingsheets, which also requires storage capacity to store the settingpermission information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in light of such a problem, andprovides an improved printing apparatus, an improved informationprocessing device, and an improved printing method.

Further, according to the present invention, in the event of performingprinting processing employing an printing apparatus by which an operatorcan register the type of a sheet, setting permission informationindicating the combinations of settable contents at each printingsetting item regarding a plurality of printing setting items forperforming printing processing can be prevented from increase accordingto the type of a sheet, and the printing settings of the plurality ofprinting setting items can be performed appropriately.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a printingapparatus is provided which includes a printing unit configured toperform printing processing; a sheet information storing unit configuredto store a plurality of sheet information items, each of the sheetinformation items including a plurality of attribute information itemson the material of a sheet; a permission information storing unitconfigured to store a plurality of permission information items, each ofthe permission information items indicating whether to permit a specificprinting setting when the printing unit performs printing processing; aselecting unit configured to select one permission information item fromamong the plurality of permission information items based on the sheetinformation items corresponding to the specific sheet type in a casewhere the printing unit performs printing processing on a specific sheettype; a setting unit configured to set a printing setting for theprinting unit performing printing processing based on the permissioninformation items selected by the selecting unit; and a control unitconfigured to control the printing unit to perform printing processingbased on the printing setting set by the setting unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing device is provided which is configured to generate a printingjob arranged to cause a printing apparatus to perform printingprocessing. Here, the printing apparatus includes a sheet informationstoring unit configured to store a plurality of sheet information items,each of the sheet information items including a plurality of attributeinformation on the material of a sheet; a permission information storingunit configured to store a plurality of permission information items,each of the permission information items indicating whether to permit aspecific printing setting when the printing apparatus performs printingprocessing; a selecting unit configured to select one permissioninformation item from among the plurality of permission informationitems based on the sheet information items corresponding to the specificsheet type in a case where the information processing device generates aprinting job employing a specific sheet type; a setting unit configuredto set a printing setting relating to a printing job employing thespecific sheet type based on the permission information items selectedby the selecting unit; and a generating unit configured to generate aprinting job for causing the printing apparatus to perform printingprocessing based on the printing setting set by the setting unit.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a printingmethod is provided which includes selecting one sheet information itemfrom a plurality of sheet information items relating to attributeinformation for the material of a sheet which a printing apparatus canemploy for printing processing; selecting a permission information itemfrom a plurality of permission information items indicating whether topermit a specific printing setting when the print apparatus performsprinting processing based on the selected sheet information items;setting printing settings when the printing apparatus performs printingprocessing based on the selected permission information item; andperforming printing processing by the printing apparatus based on theset printing settings.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate numerous embodiments, features andaspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall example configuration of abookbinding system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example control configurationof a printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of theprinting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of anoperating unit.

FIGS. 5A through 5C are diagrams each illustrating an example operatingscreen displayed on the operating unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example control configurationof a printer unit 203.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example operating screen displayedon the operating unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example operating screen displayedon the operating unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating example sheet information of Type 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating example sheet information of Type 3.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating example sheet information of Type 2.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating example operating screen displayed onthe operating unit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example operating screen displayedon the operating unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating example sheet supply tray information.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating example setting permissioninformation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a table for correlating the sheetinformation of Type 2 with the sheet information of Type 1.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation executed by aCPU 205.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example operating screen displayedon the operating unit.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a computerterminal.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example window configured to setprinting processing setting items.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example screen to be displayed whena property button is pressed.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example screen to be displayed whena finishing tab is selected.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example screen to be displayed whena supply tab is selected.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating example data structure of a printingjob.

FIG. 25 is an example software structure diagram of a computer terminal233.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation executed by aprinter driver.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference tothe drawings showing various embodiments thereof. In the drawings,components and parts which are similar throughout the drawings aredesignated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptionthereof will be omitted.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Description will be made below regarding various embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the appended drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment <Overall Configuration of Bookbinding System(Bookbinding Apparatus)>

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of abookbinding system 2000 corresponding to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 105 denotes a printing apparatus, whichsubjects a sheet to printing processing based on image data, and alsoconveys the sheet subjected to printing processing to a stacker device104. The stacker device 104 stacks the sheet conveyed from the printingapparatus 105 in a stack tray (not shown). The stacker device 104 canalso convey the sheet conveyed from the printing apparatus 105 to acase-binding device 103 without stacking this in the stack tray. Thecase-binding device 103 loads a plurality of sheets S conveyed from theprinting apparatus 105 via the stacker device 104 into a stacking trayas a sheet bundle. Subsequently, the case-binding device 103 creates abound article (book) by wrapping the sheet bundle loaded into thestacking tray in a cover sheet loaded into a cover-sheet loading tray.

Note that the case-binding device 103 can convey the sheets S conveyedfrom the stacker device 104 to a saddle-stitching device 102 withoutloading these into the stacking tray. The saddle-stitching device 102creates a saddle stitching article (book) by subjecting the sheet bundleS1 made up of the plurality of sheets S, which are conveyed from theprinting apparatus 105 via the case binding device 103, to stapleprocessing. Note that the saddle stitching article created by thesaddle-stitching device 102 is conveyed to a trimming device 101, and issubjected to trimming processing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of theprinting apparatus 105 corresponding to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a scanner unit, which opticallyscans a plurality of original sheets (sheets such as paper or the likeon which an image is printed) to generate image data, and also subjectsthe read image data to image processing (e.g., shading correctionprocessing). The scanner unit 201 then stores the image data of aplurality of pages subjected to image processing in a hard disk (HDD)209 as one printing job.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an external interface, which receives aprinting job including image data of a plurality of pages from acomputer terminal 233 serving as an external device connected to theprinting apparatus 105 via a network 232. The external interface 202stores the received printing job in the hard disk (HDD) 209. Referencenumeral 203 denotes a printer unit, which subjects a plurality of sheetsto printing processing based on the printing job stored in the hard disk209. Note that the printing job is made up of image data of a pluralityof pages, so that a plurality of image data is printed upon each of aplurality of sheets.

Reference numeral 204 denotes an operating unit, which accepts varioustypes of instruction by an operator of the printing apparatus 105, andinforms the accepted instruction to a memory controller unit 206,thereby performing various types of setting upon the printing apparatus105.

A CPU 205 writes a program read out from ROM 207 in RAM 208, andexecutes the program using the RAM 208, thereby controlling the entiretyof the bookbinding system 2000 including the printing apparatus 105.Note that the ROM 207 stores a program for interpreting PDL (PageDescription Language) code data that the external interface 202 receivedfrom an external device as a printing job. The ROM 207 further stores aprogram for generating data that can be printed at the printer unit 203following interpretation of PDL code data. The memory controller unit206 controls access from the respective units as to the ROM 207, RAM208, and hard disk 209.

A compression/decompression unit 210 can subject the image data storedin the RAM 208 and hard disk 209 to compression processing using varioustypes of compression method such as JBIG, JPEG, or the like. Thecompression/decompression unit 210 can also execute decompressionprocessing for decompressing the image data subjected to compressionprocessing by various types of compression method.

A rotation unit 231 executes rotating processing in the event that it isnecessary to rotate image data when transmitting the image data storedin the hard disk 209 to the printer unit 203 to execute printingprocessing. The rotation unit 231 can execute arbitrary angle rotatingprocessing such as 180-degree rotating processing for inverting thetop-and-bottom directions of image data, 90-degree rotating processing,or the like as rotating processing. Setting of a rotating angle forrotating processing can be performed from the CPU 205.

An option interface 230 is an interface for the CPU 205 communicatingwith the stacker device 104, case-binding device 103, saddle-stitchingdevice 102, and trimming device 101 which are connected to the printingapparatus 105 as optional devices. The stacker device 104, case-bindingdevice 103, saddle-stitching device 102, and trimming device 101 eachinclude a CPU (not shown) configured to control the internal operationof each device. The CPU 205 of the printing apparatus 105 transmits acontrol command for controlling the CPU of each of the option devicesvia the option interface 230, thereby controlling the stacker device104, case-binding device 103, saddle-stitching device 102, and trimmingdevice 101.

<Configuration of Printing Apparatus>

Next, description will be made regarding the configuration of theprinting apparatus 105 with reference to FIG. 3.

The printing apparatus 105 comprises the scanner unit 201, and theprinter unit 203. The scanner unit 201 sequentially feeds the sheetbundle loaded in a document feeder unit 250 onto a platen glass 211 fromthe top thereof (the uppermost portion) one at a time in accordance witha loading sequence. The document feeder unit 250 then discharges thescanned sheet onto a discharge tray 219 following completion of scanoperation by a scanning unit 220. Upon an original sheet being conveyedonto the platen glass 211, the scanning unit 220 turns on a lamp 212,controls an optical unit 213 to move, and scans the sheet-shapedoriginal while illuminating this from below. The reflected light fromthe original is passed through a plurality of mirrors 214, 215, 216, anda lens 217, and is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereafter, CCD) 218,and the image on the scanned original is read by the CCD 218 as imagedata. The image data read by the CCD 218 is subjected to predeterminedimage processing, following which is stored in the hard disk 209.

The printer unit 203 outputs from a laser-light-emitting unit 322 drivenby a laser driver 321 laser light corresponding to the image data readout from the hard disk 209. An electrostatic latent image correspondingto laser light is formed on a photosensitive drum 323 upon which laserlight is illuminated, and a developing unit 324 adheres a developingagent (e.g., toner) at the electrostatic latent image portion.

A sheet S (not depicted) is fed from one of a cassette 311, a cassette312, a cassette 313, a cassette 314, and a manual feed tray 315 at thetiming in sync with start of illumination of laser light, and isconveyed to a transfer unit 325 via a conveyance channel 331. Here, themanual feed tray 315 is provided with a sheet detection sensor 315 aconfigured to detect whether or not the sheet S is loaded. The transferunit 325 transfers the developing agent adhered to the photosensitivedrum 323 onto the sheet S. The sheet S on which the developing agent istransferred is conveyed to a fixing unit 327 by a conveyance belt 326,and is heated at the fixing unit 327. Thus, the developing agent on thesheet S is fixed to the sheet S. The sheet S on which the developingagent is fixed is conveyed to the stacker device 104 via conveyancechannels 335 and 334. In the event of inverting and then conveying thesheet S at the time of conveying the sheet S to the stacker device 104,the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 so as to guide the sheet S toconveyance channels 336 and 338. Subsequently, the CPU 205 conveys thesheet S in the opposite direction to the stacker device 104 viaconveyance channels 337 and 334.

Next, the control configuration of the printer unit 203 according to thefirst embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

The printer unit 203 included in the printing apparatus 105 is arrangedso as to mutually communicate with the CPU 205 via the memory controllerunit 206. A CPU 2003 of the printer unit 203 receives image data and acommand for executing printing processing from the memory controllerunit 206, and interprets the received image data to convert this intobit data, and also performs interpretation of the received command.

The printer unit 203 includes various types of control units which arecontrolled by the CPU 2003. As for various types of control units, thereare provided a sheet conveyance control unit 2004 configured to controlvarious types of rollers included in the printing apparatus 105 toconvey a sheet S, and a charge control unit 2005 configured to controlvoltage to be applied to a charge roller to charge the photosensitivedrum 323 up to a predetermined potential. Also, the printer unit 203includes a laser scanning control unit 2006 configured to controlscanning of laser for exposing the surface of the photosensitive drum323 based on the image data which the CPU 203 received from the memorycontroller unit 206. Further, the printer unit 2003 includes adeveloping control unit 2007 configured to control a developer 324 todevelop an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of thephotosensitive drum 323. Further, the printer unit 203 includes atransfer control unit 2008 configured to control transfer voltage to beapplied to the transfer unit 325 so as to transfer a toner image formedon the photosensitive drum 323 onto the sheet S. Also, the printer unit203 includes a fixing control unit 2009 configured to control the powersupplied to a heater included in at least one of rotation and rollerpair serving as a roller pair making up the fixing unit 327 so as to fixthe transferred toner image onto the sheet S. Also, the printer unit 203includes a sheet feed device control unit 2010 configured to controldriving of rollers included in the cassette 311, cassette 312, cassette313, and cassette 314 so as to supply the sheet S to the stacker device104.

<Configuration of Operating Unit>

Next, the configuration of the operating unit 204 included in theprinting apparatus 105 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The operating unit 204 comprises a hard key group 4-240 includingvarious types of hard keys 4-241 through 4-246. The operating unit 204also includes a liquid crystal display portion 4-250 made up of a dotmatrix made up of a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystaldisplay portion 4-250 includes a touch panel on the surface thereof. Theoperating unit 204 detects whether or not key input is made by theoperator of the printing apparatus 105 pressing a key display portion,and transmits the signal corresponding to key input to the CPU 205.Subsequently, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus 105 based onthe program stored in the ROM 207, and executes the operationcorresponding to the received signal.

A key 4-243 is a power key, which is a key for allowing the operator toturn on/off the power. A key 4-244 is a power saving key, which is a keyfor allowing the operator to set a power saving mode or to cancel thepower saving mode. A start key 4-241 is a key for allowing the operatorto input an instruction for starting various types of processing such asan instruction for starting the scan operation of an image on anoriginal by the scanner unit 201. A stop key 4-242 is a key for allowingthe operator to input an instruction for canceling the current operationby the bookbinding system 2000 including the printing apparatus 105.

Also, a key group 4-245 includes a numeric keypad with keys 0 through 9for allowing the operator to input the number of copies, zoomenlargement/reduction, and so forth, and a clear key for allowing theoperator to cancel input thereof. The number of copies input by this keygroup 4-245 is displayed on the liquid crystal display portion 4-253. Areset key 4-246 is a key for allowing the operator to return the settingconditions set by the operator via the liquid crystal display portion4-250 and hard key group 4-240 to the initial state.

The liquid crystal display portion 4-250 displays the operation statusand so forth of the bookbinding system 2000 in accordance with aninstruction from the CPU 205. The liquid crystal display portion 4-250also displays touch keys. With the liquid crystal display portion 4-250,a key 4-252 is a key for allowing the operator to select a cassette inwhich the sheets S (paper) employed for printing processing by theprinting apparatus 105 are loaded. Upon the operator pressing this key,the CPU 205 controls the operating unit 204 to display a sheet selectionscreen illustrated in FIG. 5A on the liquid crystal display portion4-250.

According to a key group 4-271 of the sheet selection screen illustratedin FIG. 5A, a cassette (one of cassettes 311 through 315) used forprinting processing is selected. Subsequently, upon the operatorpressing a close key 4-270, the CPU 205 closes this screen to return tothe screen in FIG. 4, and displays the selected cassette on the displayportion 4-251.

Keys 4-258 and 4-262 shown in FIG. 4 are keys for allowing the operatorto perform concentration adjustment. The CPU 205 displays theconcentration adjusted by these keys on a display portion 4-263. A key4-259 is a key for allowing the operator to activate/inactivate anautomatic concentration adjustment function. A key 4-261 is a key forallowing the operator to perform settings such as a photo mode/text modeand so forth. A key 4-260 is provided for selecting application modes.

A key 4-254 and a key 4-255 are keys for allowing the operator to setthe same size as originals, and reduction/enlargement, respectively.Upon the operator pressing the key 4-255, the CPU 205 displays theenlarge/reduce screen illustrated in FIG. 5B on the liquid crystaldisplay portion 4-250 to allow the operator to set enlargement/reductionin detail. Upon the operator selecting a magnification using a key group4-273 of the enlarge/reduce screen illustrated in FIG. 5B, and pressinga close key 4-272, the CPU 205 closes this screen to return to thescreen in FIG. 4. Subsequently, the CPU 205 displays at 4-264 themagnification set in the previous operation on the display portion4-251.

A key 4-257 is a duplex key. Upon the operator pressing the key 4-257,the CPU 205 displays the duplex/type selection screen illustrated inFIG. 5C on the liquid crystal display portion 4-250. Description will bemade below regarding the settings of duplex printing with reference toFIG. 5C.

In FIG. 5C, a key 4-280 is a setting key for allowing the operator tosubject both sides of sheets to printing processing using originalswhose only one side is printed with an image (hereafter, simplexoriginals). A key 4-281 is a setting key for allowing the operator tosubject both sides of sheets to printing processing using originalswhose both sides are printed with an image (hereafter, duplexoriginals). A key 4-283 is a setting key for allowing the operator tosubject only one side of sheets to printing processing using duplexoriginals. Also, a key 4-284 is a setting key for allowing the operatorto perform continuous page scanning to duplex. A key 4-286 is foraccessing a detailed settings display panel.

A key 4-285 is a key for allowing the operator to activate the settingsperformed by himself/herself in the duplex/type selection screen in FIG.5C. Upon the operator pressing this key, the CPU 205 activates thesettings in the duplex/type selection screen in FIG. 5C, and returns thedisplay of the liquid crystal display portion 4-250 to the screen inFIG. 4. Also, a key 4-282 is a key for allowing the operator to cancelthe settings performed in FIG. 5C. Upon the operator pressing this key,the CPU 205 inactivates the settings in the duplex/type selection screenin FIG. 5C, and returns the display of the liquid crystal displayportion 4-250 to the screen in FIG. 4.

A key 4-256 on the display screen in FIG. 4 is a key for allowing theoperator to input regarding whether to discharge the sheet subjected toprinting processing by the printing apparatus 105 to which device in thebookbinding system 2000.

FIG. 7 is an operating screen for specifying the size of the sheet S tobe loaded in a sheet supply cassette (one of the cassettes 311 through315). The operating screen shown in FIG. 7 is a screen displayedfollowing one of the sheet supply cassettes (one of the cassettes 311through 315) being selected in FIG. 5A. A key group 701 on the screenshown in FIG. 7 are keys for allowing the operator to set the size ofsheets to be loaded in the cassette selected in FIG. 5A. For example,upon the operator pressing A4 size on the screen in FIG. 7, and pressingthe Next key, the CPU 205 displays an operating screen shown in FIG. 8on the liquid crystal display portion 4-250.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the operating unit204 for allowing the operator to set the type of sheets to be loaded ina sheet supply tray.

In FIG. 8, upon the operator pressing one of keys 801 through 808, thetype of sheets is set. Subsequently, upon the operator of the printingapparatus 105 pressing a key 809, the type of sheets is determined, andthe screen returns to the operating screen shown in FIG. 5A.

As described above, with regard to sheets to be loaded in the cassetteselected in FIG. 5A, the size of the sheets is set via the displayscreen shown in FIG. 7, and the type of the sheets is set via thedisplay screen shown in FIG. 8. Subsequently, the CPU 205 stores a sheetID assigned to the sheets set by the operator in the HDD 209 in acorrelation with each of the sheet supply trays as sheet supply trayinformation. One example of the sheet supply tray information is shownin FIG. 14. For example, in the event of receiving a printing job fromthe computer terminal 233 to execute printing processing, a printing jobspecifying a sheet supply tray (supply source) alone is generated at thecomputer terminal 233 in some cases. In such a case, a printing jobincludes information determining a sheet supply tray, so the CPU 205 candetermine the type of sheets employed for printing processing byreferencing sheet supply tray information shown in FIG. 14.

Next, description will be made regarding sheet information to be storedin the HDD 209. The printing apparatus 105 executes printing processingusing various types of control information at the time of executingprinting processing at the printer unit 203. The control informationmentioned here means information for controlling each unit of theprinter unit 203, such as a temperature value when heating the fixingunit 327, a transfer voltage value to be applied at the transfer unit325, a conveyance speed value (printing speed value) when a sheet isconveyed to the printer unit 203, and so forth. It can be conceived thatthe printing apparatus 105 executes printing processing using varioustypes of sheets, but even whatever kind of sheet is employed, it isdesirable to obtain a fixed printing result. In order to realize this,the printing apparatus 105 includes control information in the sheetinformation, thereby appropriately controlling transfer voltage,printing speed, and fixing temperature according to the type of sheets.

With the present embodiment, as for the sheet information, there areprovided three types of sheet information, such as Type 1, Type 2, andType 3.

First, description will be made regarding the sheet information of Type1 serving as one type of the sheet information. Type 1 is the sheetinformation stored in the HDD 209 of the printing apparatus 105beforehand (e.g., at the time of manufacturing), which is stored in theHDD 209 as a table shown in FIG. 9. In the table shown in FIG. 9, IDrepresents information for identifying various types of Type-1 sheets,and the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus 105 identifies the type ofsheets by using this ID. Paper name represents a name assigned tosheets. Also, grammage represents a weight per 1 m² of a sheet, andsurface nature represents the material quality of the surface of asheet. Note that the weight of a sheet and the material quality of asheet are information indicating the properties of a sheet itself, sothis information is referred to as sheet property information in thefollowing description.

Also, fixing temperature represents a temperature value at the time ofheating the fixing unit 327, and printing speed represents a conveyancespeed value at the time of conveying sheets in the event of executingprinting processing at the printer unit 203. Also, transfer voltagerepresents a transfer voltage value to be applied to a sheet at thetransfer unit 325. The sheets included in the Type-1 sheet informationcan be selected as sheets to be employed for printing processing fromthe operating unit 204 of the printing apparatus 105.

Specifically, an arrangement is made wherein the operator can select thesheets included in the Type-1 sheet information at the operating screenin FIG. 8. The example in FIG. 9 illustrates a case wherein eight typesof sheets are registered in the HDD 209 of the printing apparatus 105 asType-1 sheets, but the number of types of sheets is not restricted toeight, so an arbitrary number of types of sheets may be registered asType 1 beforehand.

Next, description will be made regarding the sheet information of Type 3serving as one type of the sheet information. Type 3 is the sheetinformation stored in the HDD 209 of the printing apparatus 105beforehand (e.g., at the time of manufacturing), which is the same asthe sheet information of Type 1. However, the difference between Type 3and Type 1 is in that the sheets included in the Type 3 sheetinformation cannot be selected at the screen shown in FIG. 8 as thesheets which the printing apparatus 105 employs for printing processing.In other words, the sheets included in the Type 3 sheet informationcannot be employed for printing processing by the printing apparatus105, and can be employed for printing processing only by registeringthose sheets as later-described Type-2 sheet information. As for thesheets to be employed for printing processing, there are severalthousands of types on the market, so enabling all these types of sheetsto be employed for printing processing of the printing apparatus 105causes a problem. Specifically, it is difficult for the operator toselect a desired sheet from several thousands of types of sheets at theoperating screen such as shown in FIG. 8. Consequently, the printingapparatus 105 allows the operator of the printing apparatus 105 toemploy only the necessary types of sheets from among the Type-3 sheets.

Specifically, in the event that the sheets included in the Type 3 sheetinformation are arranged so as to be employed for printing processing bythe printing apparatus 105, the operator of the printing apparatus 105presses a register sheet key 810 on the operating screen shown in FIG.8. The CPU 205 displays the operating screen shown in FIG. 12 on theoperating unit 204 in response to the register sheet key 810 beingpressed. With the operating screen shown in FIG. 12, the operator canselect the sheets included in Type 3. With the example shown in FIG. 12,eight types of sheets equivalent to IDs 0234-0000 through 0241-0000among the Type 3 are displayed so as to be selected by the operator.Upon the operator pressing the portion identifying these eight types ofsheets (1201 through 1208), and pressing the OK key 1209, a new sheet isregistered as the sheet that can be selected in FIG. 8, and as theType-2 sheet information. According to such a registration, the sheetwhich the printing apparatus 105 can employ for printing processing isnewly registered (added). Note that with the example shown in FIG. 12,an arrangement has been made wherein the eight types of sheets includedin Type 3 can be selected, but a thousand types of sheets shown in FIG.10 are included in Type 3, so with the screen shown in FIG. 12, let ussay that the operator can select one of the thousands of types of sheetsby scrolling and displaying the sheet information.

Next, description will be made regarding the sheet information of Type 2serving as one type of the sheet information. The sheets included in theType-2 sheet information means, of the sheets included in Type 3, thesheets which the printing apparatus 105 can newly employ for printingprocessing by the registration processing employing the screen shown inFIG. 12. Also, the operator can register a sheet included in Type 1 as anew Type-2 sheet by duplicating the sheet included in Type 1. In theevent of performing duplication, the operator needs to press a duplicatekey 812 in a state of the sheet included in Type 1 being selected on theoperating screen shown in FIG. 8. Upon the operator pressing the key812, a new sheet is added as a sheet of Type 2 separately from theType-1 sheets. One example of the Type-2 sheet information is shown inFIG. 11. Note that the Type-2 sheet copied from Type 1 has the samesheet information as the Type-1 sheet, but sheet name thereof isrewritten so as not to be duplicated. Note that the sheet included inType 2 can be edited by the operator pressing the edit key 811 in FIG.8. As one example, description will be made regarding a case wherein ofthe Type-1 sheet information shown in FIG. 9, the sheet informationwhose ID is 0002-0000 is newly registered (duplicated) as the Type-2sheet information. In this case, new sheet information is registered(duplicated) in Type 2 by the operator pressing the copy key 812 in astate of the key 802 shown in FIG. 8 being pressed. Subsequently,following the sheet registered as Type 2 being selected on the screenshown in FIG. 8, upon the operator pressing an edit key 811, theoperating screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the operating unit204. Here, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses amodification key 1301, and on the screen (not shown) displayedthereafter performs character input employing the operating unit 204,whereby of the sheet information the operator can modify sheet nameinformation. Also, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses amodification key 1302, and on the screen (not shown) displayedthereafter performs numeric input employing the operating unit 204,whereby the operator can modify weight information. Also, the operatorof the printing apparatus 105 presses a modification key 1303, and onthe screen (not shown) displayed thereafter performs selectionprocessing (selection processing of one of high quality, recycled, andcoated) employing the operating unit 204, whereby the operator canmodify surface nature information. Also, the operator of the printingapparatus 105 presses a modification key 1304, and on the screen (notshown) displayed thereafter performs numeric input employing theoperating unit 204, whereby the operator can modify fixing temperatureinformation. Also, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses amodification key 1305, and on the screen (not shown) displayedthereafter performs numeric input employing the operating unit 204,whereby the operator can modify printing speed information. Also, theoperator of the printing apparatus 105 presses a modification key 1306,and on the screen (not shown) displayed thereafter performs numericinput employing the operating unit 204, whereby the operator can modifytransfer voltage information.

Note that the above-mentioned modification processing is executed by theCPU 205 rewriting the Type-2 sheet information items stored in the HDD209 based on the information input to the operating unit 204. Also, as aresult of the above-mentioned modification processing, the sheetsincluding the Type-1 and Type-2 sheet information are displayed on theoperating unit 204 as sheets which the printing apparatus 105 can employfor printing processing.

Next, the setting permission information indicating combinations ofprinting setting items that the printing apparatus 105 can subject toprinting processing will be described.

In the event that the printer unit 203 performs printing processingemploying image data input from the scanner unit 201, the operator ofthe printing apparatus 105 sets a plurality of printing setting items,following which it performs printing processing. Here, with the printingapparatus 105 capable of setting the plurality of printing settingitems, a combination of the plurality of printing setting itemssometimes results in an inexecutable setting. In order to avoid this,with regard to the plurality of printing setting items, settingpermission information is stored beforehand as information indicatingsettable combinations, thereby preventing a printing setting that theprinting apparatus cannot subject to printing processing.

FIG. 15 shows a table indicating the setting permission information,which includes a plurality of sets of setting permission informationitems for each sheet type. As for the printing setting items, FIG. 15shows an item regarding whether or not duplex printing can be performed,an item that sets available cassettes as sheet supply sources, and anitem that sets available devices as sheet discharge locations. Also, inthe event that the plurality of sets of setting permission informationhave a different sheet size, different setting information even havingthe same sheet type exists. For example, with regard to A4-size plainpaper, the trimming device 101 cannot be selected as a sheet dischargelocation, but duplex printing can be performed, and any cassette (ormanual feed) can be selected as a sheet supply source, and the stackerdevice 104, case-binding device 103, and saddle-stitching device 102 canbe selected. Note that as shown in FIG. 15, as for the sheet types, thesheet types equivalent to the Type-1 sheet information are prepared.Also, the plurality of sets of setting permission information are storedin the HDD 209.

Note that as for the setting permission information, it is difficult toprepare not only the information equivalent to the Type-1 information,but also the information equivalent to the Type-2 and Type-3 sheetinformation. For example, with the present embodiment, there are athousand types of sheet as the Type 3 sheet information, so it isdifficult to prepare setting permission information regarding all thesetypes. In order to handle this, with the present embodiment, anarrangement is made wherein printing settings of the plurality ofprinting setting items can be performed suitably without increasing thesetting permission information indicating combinations of the selectablecontents of each printing setting item regarding the plurality ofprinting setting items for printing processing according to a sheettype. Specifically, the CPU 205 selects any one of the plurality of setsof setting permission information in FIG. 15 as to the Type-2 sheetinformation by using the table shown in FIG. 16. Thereby the CPU 205 canperform printing settings of the plurality of printing setting itemswithout increasing the plurality of setting permission information. FIG.16 is a table for correlating the Type-2 sheet information with theType-1 sheet information.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIG. 17 regarding anoperation wherein the CPU 205 selects one of the plurality of settingpermission information items with the Type-2 sheet informationcorrelated with the Type-1 sheet information shown in FIG. 15, andexecutes printing processing. FIG. 17 shows an operation executed by theCPU 205 based on the control program stored in the HDD 209.

In step S1701 in FIG. 17, the CPU 205 selects the sheet supply source(one of the cassettes 311 through 314, and manual feed 315) selected bythe operator via the operating screen shown in FIG. 5A as the sheetsupply source employed for printing processing.

In step S1702, the CPU 205 selects (specifies) the sheet size selectedby the operator at the operating screen shown in FIG. 7 to be displayedsubsequently following the operating screen shown in FIG. 5A as thesheet size of the sheets employed for printing processing.

In step S1703, the CPU 205 selects the sheet type selected by theoperator on the operating screen shown in FIG. 8 to be displayedsubsequently following the operating screen shown in FIG. 7 as the sheettype of the sheets employed for printing processing. Note that with theexample shown in FIG. 8, only the sheet information equivalent to Type 1is displayed on the operating screen, but in this step, let us say thatthe screen to display the sheet information has been scrolled, and “ABCCOATED 1” (ID=0236-0001) shown in FIG. 11 registered as Type 2 has beenselected.

In step S1704, the CPU 205 selects the setting permission informationitem corresponding to the sheet type selected in step S1703 withreference to the sheet information corresponding to the sheet typeselected in step S1703, and the tables shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.Specifically, the CPU 205 selects “COATED PAPER 2” in FIG. 16, andfurther selects the setting permission information corresponding to“COATED PAPER 2” in FIG. 15 since the weight of the sheet type selectedin step S1703 is 200 g/m², and the surface nature is “COATED”. With thesetting permission information selected by the CPU 205 in step S1704,duplex printing is unavailable, case-binding device is unavailable, andtrimming device is unavailable.

In step S1705, the CPU 205 performs the other printing settings based onthe setting permission information selected in step S1704. Here,description will be made regarding the setting item of duplex printing,and the setting item of a discharge location, which serve as printingsetting items. First, in the event of performing the setting of duplexprinting, the operator presses the key 4-257 on the operating screen inFIG. 4. In response to this, the CPU 205 displays the operating screenshown in FIG. 5C on the operating unit 204. Here, with the settingpermission information selected in step S1704, the setting of duplexprinting is unavailable, so the CPU 205 prevents the operator frompressing the key 4-280 and key 4-281 on the operating screen shown inFIG. 5C. That is to say, the CPU 205 controls so as not to allow theoperator to execute duplex printing processing, in the event ofemploying “ABC COATED 1” of Type 2 at the printing processing. Next, inthe event of performing the setting of a discharge location, theoperator presses the key 4-256 on the operating screen in FIG. 4.

In response to this, the CPU 205 displays a select discharge locationoperating screen shown in FIG. 18 at the operating unit 204. Theselection discharge location operating screen includes selection keys1801 through 1804 for selecting the device for discharge, in particular,a stacker device 1801, case binding device 1802, saddle-stitching device1803, and trimming device 1804. Further, the screen includes an OKbutton 1805 to confirm the selection.

Here, with the setting permission information item selected in stepS1704, the setting of the trimming device 101 serving as a dischargelocation is unavailable, so the CPU 205 prevents the operator frompressing a key 1804 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 18. That is tosay, the CPU 205 controls so as not to allow the operator to specify thetrimming device 101 as a discharge location, in the event of employing“ABC COATED 1” of Type 2 at the printing processing. Note that in theevent of the operator of the printing apparatus 105 selecting thestacker device 104, case-binding device 103, or saddle-stitching device102 on the operating screen shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 205 controls theoperating unit 204 to display an operating screen (not shown) forallowing the operator to set the processing as to sheets at each of thedevices.

In step S1706, the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to executeprinting processing based on the printing setting set in each step ofstep S1701 through step S1705. Note that step S1706 is started by theCPU 205 detecting whether or not the operator of the printing apparatus105 presses the key 4-241 in FIG. 4 in a state in which a sheet bundleis loaded in the document feeder unit 250 of the scanner unit 201. Notethat the CPU 2003, which controls the printer unit 203, controls each ofthe units of the printer unit 203 based on the sheet informationcorresponding to the sheet type selected in step S1703 in FIG. 17. “ABCCOATED 1” (ID=0236-0001) has been selected as the sheet type in stepS1703, so as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet information indicates that thefixing temperature is 191° C., printing speed is 200 mm/sec, andtransfer voltage is 1.2 KV. Therefore, the CPU 2003 controls the fixingcontrol unit 2009 such that the fixing temperature of the fixing unit327 at the time of printing processing becomes 191° C. Also, the CPU2003 controls the sheet conveyance control unit 2004 such that theconveyance speed of sheets at the time of printing processing becomes200 mm/sec. Also, the CPU 2003 controls the transfer control unit 2008such that the transfer voltage of the transfer unit 325 at the time ofprinting processing becomes 1.2 KV. Thus, the sheet information itemincludes various types of setting information as to the printer unit 203at the time of executing printing processing, so the printing apparatus105 can execute appropriate printing processing depending on the type ofsheets.

As described above, with the present embodiment, as for available typesof sheets at the printing apparatus 105, in addition to the types ofsheets corresponding to the Type-1 sheet information, new sheetinformation is registered from Type 3, whereby the Type-2 sheetinformation can be registered (generated). Also, new Type-2 sheetinformation can be generated from among the Type-1 sheet information.Thus, the type of sheets corresponding to one of the Type-1 sheetinformation and the Type-2 sheet information can be employed forprinting processing at the printing apparatus 105. With regard to thesheets corresponding to the Type-2 sheet information items, the settingpermission information item indicating the combinations of the settablecontents regarding each of the plurality of printing setting items forperforming printing processing can be selected from among the settingpermission information provided as to the Type-2 sheet information.

According to the present embodiment thus described, even registering(adding) new sheet information items that the printing apparatus can usedoes not increase the setting permission information indicating thecombinations of the settable contents regarding each of the plurality ofprinting setting items for performing printing processing. Also, even inthe event of registering (adding) new sheet information that theprinting apparatus can use, the printing settings of the plurality ofprinting setting items can be appropriately performed by selectingappropriate setting permission information.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will bedescribed. The second embodiment is a modification of the firstembodiment. The difference between these is in that with the firstembodiment, the image data employed for the printer unit 203 executingprinting processing has been input from the scanner unit 201, but withthe second embodiment, the image data employed for the printer unit 203executing printing processing is input from the computer terminal 233via the external interface 202.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the computerterminal 233 serving as an external device.

In FIG. 19, the computer terminal 233 includes a CPU 901 configured toexecute document processing wherein figures, images, characters, tables(including spreadsheets, etc.) and the like are mixed based on ROM 903serving as program ROM, a document processing program stored in externalmemory 911, or the like. The CPU 901 integrally controls respective busdevices connected to a system bus 904. Also, the ROM 903 serving asprogram ROM, or the external memory 911 stores an operating systemprogram (hereafter, referred to as OS), a later-described printerdriver, and so forth. The ROM 903 serving as font ROM, or the externalmemory 911 stores font data and so forth employed for documentprocessing. Also, the ROM 903 serving as data ROM, or the externalmemory 911 stores various types of data employed for document processingand so forth. RAM 902 serves as the main memory, work area, and so forthof the CPU 901.

A keyboard controller (KBC) 905 controls key input from a keyboard 909or unshown pointing device. A CRT controller (CRTC) 906 controls displayof a CRT display (CRT) 910. A disk controller (DKC) 907 controls accessto the external memory 911 such as a hard disk (HD), floppy (registeredtrademark) disk (FD), and so forth. The external memory 911 stores aboot program, various types of applications, a printer-control commandgenerating program (hereafter, printer driver), and so forth. A printercontroller (PRTC) 908 is connected to the printing apparatus 105 via thenetwork 232, and executes communication control processing with theprinting apparatus 105.

FIG. 25 is a software structure diagram of the computer terminal 233. Anapplication 1001, a graphic engine 1002, a printer driver 1003, and asystem spooler 1004 exist as software programs stored in the externalmemory 911.

The application 1001 stored in the external memory 911 is loaded to theRAM 902, and executed. In the event of sending a printing job from theapplication 1001 to the printing apparatus 105, output (rendering) isperformed with the graphic engine 1002 that has been loaded into the RAM902, and is in an executable state.

The data output from the graphic engine 1002 is passed to the printerdriver 1003. The printer driver 1003 is loaded to the RAM 902 from theexternal memory 911, and is executed by the CPU 901. The printer driver1003 converts the data passed from the graphic engine 1002 into acontrol command that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 105(e.g., PDL command). The control command is arranged so as to be outputto the printing apparatus 105 via the system spooler 1004 loaded to theRAM 902 by the OS, and the network 232. Let us refer to such a controlcommand as a printing job.

Note that in order to generate a printing job using the printer driver1003, it is necessary to set printing processing conditions (indicatingthe combinations of the printing setting items such as the type ofsheets employed for printing processing, specification of duplex/simplexprinting, etc.) at the printing apparatus 105. The operator of thecomputer terminal 233 normally performs these settings through a window(screen displayed on the CRT 910) provided by the printer driver 1003.Subsequently, the printer driver 1003 adds the contents set by theoperator of the computer terminal 233 through the window to a printingjob as the printing processing conditions.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the window for the printer driver 1003installed in the computer terminal 233 setting printing processingsetting items.

The computer terminal 233 controls the CRT 910 to display the settingscreen shown in FIG. 20 by activating the printer driver 1003 at thetime of creating a document using the application 1001.

With the setting screen shown in FIG. 20, the operator (user) of thecomputer terminal 233 operates a printer name selection box 1101 usingan unshown pointing device or the like. According to this operation, theprinting apparatus 105 or the other printing apparatus is selected as atransmission destination to which the computer terminal 223 transmits aprinting job. In FIG. 20, the computer terminal 233 selects the printingapparatus 105. Also, the operator operating the computer terminal 233operates a printing range selection box 1102 using a pointing device orthe like. According to this operation, desired pages are determined as arange to be printed by the printing apparatus 105 of the documentgenerated by the application 1001. In the event of the operatorselecting “ALL”, the printer driver 1003 sets all pages of the documentgenerated by the application 1001 as printing objects. Also, in theevent of the operator selecting “CURRENT PAGE”, the printer driver 1003sets the page currently displayed on the CRT 910 of the document of aplurality of pages generated by the application 1001 as a printingobject. Also, in the event of the operator selecting “SPECIFIED PAGES”,the printer driver 1003 sets the pages input in an edit box 1103 of thedocument of a plurality of pages generated by the application 1001 asprinting objects. Also, the printer driver 1003 sets the number ofcopies input in a printing number of copies setting box 1104 by theoperator as the number of copies of printing objects.

Subsequently, the operator of the computer terminal 233 presses an OKbutton 1106 when completing the settings of the printing processingconditions of a printing job to be sent to the printing apparatus 105.In response to this operation, the printer driver 1003 starts thegeneration of a printing job. Note that the operator of the computerterminal 233 presses a CANCEL button 1107 in the case of canceling thegeneration of a printing job.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a screen to be displayed when theoperator presses a property button 1105 on the property setting screenof the printer driver shown in FIG. 20. The screen includes a pagesettings tab 2107, a finishing tab 2108, and a supply tab 2109.

The operator operating the computer terminal 233 operates an originalsize selection box 2101 using an unshown pointing device or the like.According to this operation, the printer driver 1003 (FIG. 25) selectsthe original size of the respective pages in the document to be editedby the application 1001. Note that the original size is usuallyspecified with the document to be edited by the application 1001, sothis original size is automatically selected (A4 in FIG. 21). Also, inthe event of the operator selecting “SAME AS ORIGINAL” regarding anoutput sheet size selection box 2102, the printer driver 1003 selects A4size as the sheet size employed for printing processing (outputprocessing) at the printing apparatus 105. Note that as for the outputsheet size, the operator can select a desired sheet size such as “A3SIZE”, “B5 SIZE”, or the like other than “SAME AS ORIGINAL”. However, inthis case, a size different from the original size is selected, so theprinter driver 1003 generates a printing job while modifyingmagnification. Also, the printer driver 1003 sets the input number ofcopies to a printing job in response to input of a desired number ofcopies to print regarding a number-of-copies selection box 2103. Also,the printer driver 1003 inputs the printing direction selected by theoperator at a printing direction specification box 2104.

Subsequently, the printer driver 1003 determines the values input in theoriginal size selection box 2101, output sheet size selection box 2102,number-of-copies selection box 2103, and printing directionspecification box 2104 by the operator selecting an OK button 2105. Onthe other hand, the printer driver 1003 does not determine the valuesinput in the boxes 2101 through 2104, and returns these to the initialsettings by the operator selecting a CANCEL button 2106.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a screen to be displayed when theoperator selects a finishing tab 2108 on the property setting screen ofthe printer driver 1003 in FIG. 21.

The operator operating the computer terminal 233 operates a printingmethod selection box 2201 using an unshown pointing device or the like.According to this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects a printingmethod (one of the printing processing conditions) when allowing theprinting apparatus 105 to print a printing job. Note that examples of aprinting method include “SIMPLEX PRINTING” wherein the single sidesalone of sheets are subjected to printing processing, and “DUPLEXPRINTING” wherein both sides of sheets are subjected to printingprocessing.

The operator operating the computer terminal 233 operates a sheetprocessing selection box 2204 using an unshown pointing device or thelike. According to this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects adevice serving as a discharge location configured to discharge thesheets subjected to printing processing at the printing apparatus 105.As for a device serving as a discharge location, there are provided thestacker device 104, trimming device 101, saddle-stitching device 102,and case-binding device 103.

Subsequently, the printer driver 1003 determines the values input in theprinting method selection box 2201, and sheet processing selection box2204 by the operator selecting an OK button 2202. On the other hand, theprinter driver 1003 does not determine the values input in the printingmethod selection box 2201, and sheet processing selection box 2204, andreturns these to the initial settings by the operator selecting a CANCELbutton 2203.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a screen to be displayed when theoperator selects a supply tab 2109 on the property setting screen of theprinter driver 1003 in FIG. 21.

The operator operating the computer terminal 233 operates a sheet supplymethod selection box 2301 using a pointing device or the like (notshown). According to this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects amethod for specifying sheets employed when allowing the printingapparatus 105 to print a printing job. Note that with the example shownin FIG. 23, a specifying method using the type of sheets is selected asa method for specifying sheets. Subsequently, in the event of theoperator selecting a specifying method using the type of sheets, display2302 is displayed to allow the operator to specify the type of sheetsused. Note that as for sheets to be displayed on the 2302, only thesheets equivalent to the above-mentioned Type 1 are displayed at thetime of the printer driver 1003 being installed in the computer terminal233. However, as described above, the operator may newly register Type-3sheet information as Type-2 sheet information, whereby the printingapparatus 105 can employ new sheets at printing processing.

However, unless the printer driver 1003 obtains the sheet informationrelating to a sheet newly registered at the printing apparatus 105, theprinter driver 1003 cannot select the Type-2 sheets as sheets to beemployed at printing processing. Therefore, an obtain sheet informationkey 2303 is provided on the screen shown in FIG. 23. The operatoroperating the computer terminal 233 selects the obtain sheet informationkey 2303, whereby the Type-2 sheet information (table shown in FIG. 11)can be transferred from the printing apparatus 105 to the externalmemory 911 of the computer terminal 233. Subsequently, the printerdriver 1003 of the computer terminal 233 can display the Type-2 sheetinformation stored in the external memory 911, and the Type-1 sheetinformation originally included in the printer driver 1003 as thedisplay 2302. The operator specifies the type of sheets employed for theprinting processing of a printing job from among the display 2302 usingthe pointing device. Subsequently, the operator selects an OK button2304, whereby the specified type of sheets is determined.

Upon the settings on the property setting screens of the printer drivershown in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23 being completed (by the operatorpressing the OK button 2105, OK button 2202, OK button 2304, or cancelbutton 2305), the screen returns to the printer driver setting screenshown in FIG. 20.

Subsequently, when the operator presses the OK button 1106 on theprinter driver setting screen shown in FIG. 20, the external devicegenerates one printing job by synthesizing the setting contents set onthe property setting screen, and application data. Further, the computerterminal 233 sends the printing job to the printing apparatus 105.

Note that a specific example of the data structure of a printing job isshown in FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the data structureof a printing job that the computer terminal 233 sends to the printingapparatus 105.

In FIG. 24, reference numeral 2401 denotes a printing job ID, which is aunique ID to be assigned to the printing job so as to identify the printjob in the event that the computer terminal 233 sends a printing job tothe printing apparatus 105. Reference numeral 2402 denotes output methodspecification information, which is information for identifying theprinting method selected on the printing method selection box 1301.Reference numeral 2403 denotes sheet supply unit specificationinformation, which is information for identifying the sheet supply unitselected by a sheet supply unit selection box (box to be displayed when“SPECIFY SHEETS BY SUPPLYING LOCATION” is selected in 2301). Referencenumeral 2404 denotes sheet information, which is information includingsheet size information for identifying the output sheet size selected inthe output sheet size selection box 1202. The sheet information includespaper type information indicating paper type. In the event that thepaper type selected on the display 2302 in FIG. 23 is “CUSTOM PLAINPAPER 1”, the paper type information is a sheet ID (0002-0001).

Reference numeral 2405 denotes number-of-copies specificationinformation, which is information for determining the number of copiesto print input in the number-of-copies setting box 1104. Referencenumeral 2406 denotes a printing job name, and text data indicating afile name at the time of an application managing is assigned as aprinting job name. Finally, reference numeral 2407 denotes documentdata, which is the data of a document generated by an application whichoperates on the computer terminal 233.

Note that the computer terminal 233 stores information equivalent to theType-1 sheet information (FIG. 15) in the external memory 911 as settingpermission information items indicating the combinations of the printingsetting items. Also, the computer terminal 233 stores the table shown inFIG. 16 in the external memory 911. As with the printing apparatus 105according to the first embodiment, the printer driver 1003 prevents theoperator from performing a printing setting that prevents the printingapparatus 105 from performing printing processing based on the settingpermission information stored in the external memory 911.

Now, description will be made with reference to FIG. 26 regarding anoperation wherein the printer driver 1003 selects one of a plurality ofsetting permission information correlated with Type 1 in FIG. 15 as tothe Type-2 sheet information to generate a printing job. FIG. 26illustrates an operation executed by the printer driver 1003 serving asa program operated by the CPU 901.

In step S2601 in FIG. 26, the printer driver 1003 selects the outputsheet size selected on the screen shown in FIG. 21 as the sheet size ofsheets employed for printing processing.

In step S2602, the printer driver 1003 selects the paper type selectedby the operator on the screen shown in FIG. 23 as the paper type ofsheets employed for printing processing. Note that with the exampleshown in FIG. 23, let us say that “CUSTOM PLAIN PAPER 1” (ID=0002-0001)registered as Type 2 has been selected.

In step S2603, the printer driver 1003 selects the setting permissioninformation corresponding to the paper type selected in step S2602 withreference to the sheet information corresponding to the paper typeselected in step S2602, and the tables shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16.Specifically, the printer driver 1003 selects “PLAIN PAPER” in FIG. 16,and further selects the setting permission information corresponding to“PLAIN PAPER” in FIG. 15 since the weight of the paper type selected instep S2602 is 95 g/m², and the surface nature is “HIGH QUALITY”. Withthe setting permission information selected by the printer driver 1003in step S2603, the trimming device is unavailable.

In step S2604, the printer driver 1003 performs the other printingsettings based on the setting permission information selected in stepS2603. Here, description will be made regarding the setting item ofduplex printing, and the setting item of a discharge location, whichserve as printing setting items. First, in the event of performing thesetting of duplex printing, the operator selects duplex printing on theprinting method selection box 1301 on the screen in FIG. 22. Here, withthe setting permission information selected in step S2603, the settingof duplex printing is available, so the printer driver 1003 allows theoperator to select duplex printing on the screen shown in FIG. 22. Thatis to say, the printer driver 1003 controls so as to allow the operatorto execute duplex printing processing, in the event of employing “CUSTOMPLAIN PAPER 1” of Type 2 at the printing processing.

Next, in the event of performing the setting of a discharge location,the operator selects a device to be specified as a discharge location inthe sheet processing selection box 1304 on the screen in FIG. 22. Here,with the setting permission information selected in step S2603, thesetting of the trimming device 101 serving as a discharge location isunavailable, so the printer driver 1003 prevents the operator fromselecting the trimming device 101 as a discharge location on the screenshown in FIG. 22. That is to say, the printer driver 1003 controls so asnot to allow the operator to specify the trimming device 101 as adischarge location, in the event that “CUSTOM PLAIN PAPER 1” of Type 2is employed at the printing processing, and also the output sheet sizeis “A4”. Note that in the event that the output sheet size is “A3”, thesetting permission information to be selected in step S2603 differs, soin this case, the operator can select the trimming device 101. Note thatin the event of the operator of the computer terminal 233 selecting thestacker device 104, case-binding device 103, or saddle-stitching device102, as a discharge location, on the screen shown in FIG. 22, theprinter driver 1003 controls the operating unit 204 to display anoperating screen (not shown) for allowing the operator to set theprocessing as to sheets at each of the devices.

In step S2605, the printer driver 1003 generates a printing job based onthe printing settings set in the respective steps of step S2601 throughstep S2604, and transfers this to the printing apparatus 105. Note thatthe printing apparatus 105 which received the printing job generated bythe printer driver 1003 executes printing processing by analyzing theprinting job shown in FIG. 24 at the CPU 205 in accordance with theflowchart shown in FIG. 26.

Specifically, the CPU 2003, which controls the printer unit 201,controls the respective units of the printer unit 2003 based on thesheet information specified by the printing job. With the printing job,“CUSTOM PLAIN PAPER 1” (ID=0002-0001) has been selected as a paper type,as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet information indicates that the fixingtemperature is 179° C., printing speed is 240 mm/sec, and transfervoltage is 1.0 KV. Therefore, the CPU 2003 controls the fixing controlunit 2009 such that the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 327 at thetime of printing processing becomes 179° C. Also, the CPU 2003 controlsthe sheet conveyance control unit 2004 such that the conveyance speed ofsheets at the time of printing processing becomes 240 mm/sec. Also, theCPU 2003 controls the transfer control unit 2008 such that the transfervoltage of the transfer unit 325 at the time of printing processingbecomes 1.0 KV. Thus, the sheet information includes various types ofsetting information as to the printer unit 203 at the time of executingprinting processing, so the printing apparatus 105 can executeappropriate printing processing depending on the type of sheets.

As described above, with the present embodiment, as for available typesof sheets with a printing job, in addition to the types of sheetscorresponding to the Type-1 sheet information items, new sheetinformation can be obtained from the printing apparatus 105. Also, newType-2 sheet information items can be generated from among the Type-1sheet information. Thus, the type of sheets corresponding to one of theType-1 sheet information items and the Type-2 sheet information itemscan be employed for printing processing at the printing apparatus 105.With regard to the sheets corresponding to the Type-2 sheet information,the setting permission information indicating the combinations of thesettable contents regarding each of the plurality of printing settingitems for performing printing processing can be selected from among thesetting permission information items provided as to the Type-2 sheetinformation items.

According to the present embodiment thus described, even registering(adding) new sheet information that the printing apparatus can use doesnot increase the setting permission information indicating thecombinations of the settable contents regarding each of the plurality ofprinting setting items for the printer driver to generate a printingjob. Also, even in the event of registering (adding) new sheetinformation that the printing apparatus can use, the printer driver canappropriately execute the printing settings of the plurality of printingsetting items by selecting appropriate setting permission informationfollowing obtaining the sheet information from the printing apparatus.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

With the first and second embodiments, the setting permissioninformation has been prepared for each sheet size as different settingpermission information items, but other arrangements may be made insteadof this. For example, an arrangement may be made wherein one settingpermission information item is provided as to a paper type regardless ofsheet size.

Also, the present invention can provide a recording medium in whichsoftware program code for realizing the above embodiment functions isrecorded, which can be supplied to a system or device. In this case, thecomputer of the system or device thereof reads out and executes theprogram code stored in the recording medium, thereby realizing the aboveembodiment functions. In this case, the program code itself read outfrom the recording medium realizes the above embodiment functions, andthe recording medium storing the program code thereof makes up thepresent invention.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothe specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appendedclaims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalentstructures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unitconfigured to perform printing processing; a sheet information storingunit configured to store a plurality of sheet information items, each ofthe sheet information items including a plurality of attributeinformation items on the material of a sheet; a permission informationstoring unit configured to store a plurality of permission informationitems, each of the permission information items indicating whether topermit a specific printing setting when the printing unit performsprinting processing; a selecting unit configured to select onepermission information item from among the plurality of permissioninformation items based on the sheet information items corresponding tothe specific sheet type in a case where the printing unit performsprinting processing on a specific sheet type; a setting unit configuredto set a printing setting for the printing unit performing printingprocessing based on the permission information items selected by theselecting unit; and a control unit configured to control the printingunit to perform printing processing based on the printing setting set bythe setting unit.
 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the sheet information items include, sheet type informationindicating the type of a sheet; and sheet weight information indicatingthe weight of a sheet, and wherein the selecting unit selects onepermission information item from among the plurality of permissioninformation items based on the sheet type information and the sheetweight information.
 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising: a specifying unit configured to specify the size ofa sheet to be employed for printing processing; wherein the selectingunit selects one of the plurality of permission information items basedon the sheet size information and the sheet information items.
 4. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of sheetinformation which the sheet information items storing unit stores isgreater than the number of the permission information items.
 5. Theprinting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sparesheet information storing unit configured to store spare sheetinformation items that can be registered newly as the sheet informationitems; and a registration unit configured to register the spare sheetinformation items stored in the spare sheet information storing unit inthe sheet information storing unit as new sheet information items;wherein the setting unit disables the sheet stored in the spare sheetinformation storing unit to be set as a sheet to be employed forprinting processing, and also enables the sheet stored in the sheetinformation storing unit to be set as a sheet to be employed forprinting processing.
 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the printing unit includes, a transfer unit configured totransfer a toner image onto a sheet; and a fixing unit configured tothermally fix the toner image transferred from the transfer unit onto asheet, wherein the sheet information items include, the transfer voltageto be applied to a sheet by the transfer unit when performing printingprocessing, and temperature control information for controlling thetemperature of the fixing unit; and wherein the control unit controlsthe transfer unit and the fixing unit based on the sheet informationitems.
 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprinting unit includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheetemployed for printing processing; wherein the sheet information itemsinclude control information for controlling conveyance speed for theconveyance unit conveying a sheet when performing printing processing;and wherein the control unit controls the conveyance unit based on thecontrol information.
 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 6,further comprising: a modifying unit configured to modify the sheetinformation items.
 9. An information processing device configured togenerate a printing job arranged to cause a printing apparatus toperform printing processing, the printing apparatus comprising: a sheetinformation storing unit configured to store a plurality of sheetinformation items, each of the sheet information items including aplurality of attribute information on the material of a sheet; apermission information storing unit configured to store a plurality ofpermission information items, each of the permission information itemsindicating whether to permit a specific printing setting when theprinting apparatus performs printing processing; a selecting unitconfigured to select one permission information item from among theplurality of permission information items based on the sheet informationitems corresponding to the specific sheet type in a case where theinformation processing device generates a printing job employing aspecific sheet type; a setting unit configured to set a printing settingrelating to a printing job employing the specific sheet type based onthe permission information items selected by the selecting unit; and agenerating unit configured to generate a printing job for causing theprinting apparatus to perform printing processing based on the printingsetting set by the setting unit.
 10. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the sheet information items include, sheettype information indicating the type of a sheet; and sheet weightinformation indicating the weight of a sheet, and wherein the selectingunit selects one permission information item from among the plurality ofsetting permission information items based on the sheet type informationand the sheet weight information.
 11. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the sheet information items include sheetsize information indicating the size of a sheet; and wherein theselecting unit selects one of the plurality of permission informationitems based on the sheet size information.
 12. The informationprocessing device according to claim 9, wherein the number of sheetinformation items which the sheet information storing unit stores isgreater than the number of the setting permission information items. 13.A printing method comprising: selecting one sheet information item froma plurality of sheet information items relating to attribute informationfor the material of a sheet which a printing apparatus can employ forprinting processing; selecting a permission information item from aplurality of permission information items indicating whether to permit aspecific printing setting when the print apparatus performs printingprocessing based on the selected sheet information items; settingprinting settings when the printing apparatus performs printingprocessing based on the selected permission information item; andperforming printing processing by the printing apparatus based on theset printing settings.